High bids have streetscape plan on hold in Painesville

Bids above the estimate will delay a major project in the city of Painesville but planners say it will go forward.

The Downtown Painesville Organization and city officials tout the Main Street "streetscape" project as a major first step in the city's multi-faceted revitalization master plan.

"Although delayed for the moment, it's not defunct. ... It still may even happen this fall, and we're still looking into that," DPO Executive Director Jen Reed said.

Although she said extensive engineering research went into creating an estimate, bids came in more 10 percent higher, a difference that, by statute, makes the project ineligible to go ahead.

"There's a lot of explanations," she said, although she said she spoke on her own speculation. "It was bid late in the season. ... Maybe we need to get more bids in. But the city took appropriate steps to make sure the budget was approved."

She said putting a project to bid late in the season could mean that construction companies have other projects lined up and are less likely to come down in price.

"Maybe some projects can be eliminated so we can get it done or seeking more avenues to fund," she said of possible steps forward. "Or maybe more grant or sponsorship money can be applied for."

The organization has about $830,000 specifically granted for community improvement initiatives.

The grant that will expire the earliest will not do so until July 2014.

Assistant City Manager Doug Lewis said the city is talking with the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency and Ohio Department of Transportation to discuss how to move ahead.

The traditional-looking central shop street was targeted for street narrowing and sidewalk widening following the belief that an attractive downtown district will bring people to the city.